i think that most people: on the 'fringe' are far more able to adapt to the : present and future changes than are Most in the feature : realm.

Do you think feature animators are bred on some island where they are taught to ignore reality ? They work in the very same business you do. The heavy influx of animators to features didn't come from schools but from that very same fringe. Knowing overlap or reversals doesn't make them any different than you.

the true innovators, in any field, usually work: outside the conventional way of doing things. just because: someone isn't fluent in 'overlapping action' or 'reversals': and the great things that come packaged with feature budgets,: doesn't mean that they are any less innovative at all.

Animation comes in many languages visually. A good animator doesn't make judgements on whether it fits the Disney standard but whether it was effective for that film making.

: 'fringe' people, out of necessity will, in fact, probably: be pointing the direction. they are better at surviving.

Ever worked in any major studio ? After you do we can talk about "surviving". The grass is always greener.

: it's the big studios that usually discover and promote: the smaller, more inventive independents.

: case in point, aardman animation. pixar was pretty small once: to. feature studios now fund these places, and their: unique styles, in a big way.

: so, charles, enough with this nonsense. okay?

It was not about "kissing up" but about giving equal respect to all artists. If you think that change can be obtained in all studios by just catering to the fringe alone then you are mistaken. If what you want is to splinter into factions then it is your right but then eventually you will not be radical enough. If you work at someplace that is successful you will be considered too comfortable.